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Below you will find questions for both the SERMON BASED format and the MEANING OF MARRIAGE curriculum.

I hope you have a great time of discussion & fellowship.

Announcements :

Men's and Women's Ministry are back in business. Guys meet in the Fuge every Monday night from 7 - 8:30 pm. Ladies can meet either Wednesday morning at 10 am or at 7 pm in the Multi-Purpose room.

Fall Family Dedication Celebration will be on Sunday, November 8th at both services. This is an opportunity for families to make a promise to God, with their church, to raise their children to love and honor God. Registration is required to participate, for more information or to register, please contact sandyhall@westpines.org.

CPR Certification Training Available We will be offering a CPR Training Class on Sunday, October 18th from 1:00-3:00pm. The certification will be infant, child and adult CPR as well as proper use of an AED machine. Certification is valid for two years and pre-registration is required to attend. The class is open for anyone (middle school & older) for $30 each. Contact Sandy Hall for more information or to register at sandyhall@westpines.org

Financial Peace University Begins Tuesday 10/20 - 12/15 7:00pm at the church. Register in the Resource Center. Cost is $100 per household / $150 with childcare.

Sermon Title:

Revolt, Part 1: The Tyrant Named Materialism

Main Text:

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12, Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, 12:13

Topics: ( Not to be read in group.. this is for your review and recollection )

The book of Ecclesiastes is written by Solomon. Solomon was possibly the most successful king in the history of Israel. He had extraordinary wealth. He was world famous and sought out for his wisdom. He was astoundingly powerful. He had a strong military at his disposal. From a worldly perspective he had everything one could desire. He even had a personal harem of a thousand women at his disposal.

With access to all of this Solomon writes the book of Ecclesiastes, in which he is seeking out the meaning of life. What is valuable? What is worth pursuing? What is the best framework to operate from? He has a very unique perspective. His conclusion…?

Everything is meaningless.

He says everything is a vanity. It is a vapor, a fleeting mist. That may sound depressing. But he gives profound insight, poking holes in what society so highly values. He comes to this final conclusion at the very end of the book: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Everything we can come up with is in the end empty. So live a life of worship to God. Obey Him alone. That is the only meaning.

In this series we are looking at what he talked about an evil tyrant ruling in our culture. The regime has lasted decades. And many still worship this tyrant. There are festival days celebrating this tyrant, even though it has crushed so many. The name of this evil despot? Materialism.

Solomon tells us that pursuing and loving money, is so empty. For several reasons: 1) You won’t ever be satisfied. 2) The more you have the more people are after it. 3) The more stuff you have, the more you have to upkeep. It doesn’t relieve stress it breeds stress.

The odd irony about materialism is that often we use money and stuff as an escape from the discontentment we have in life. But the pursuit of money and stuff leads to more discontentment which sends us deeper into materialism. It sucks us in like quicksand.

It leads to all kinds of problems: stress, debt, poverty, broken relationships.

Money is not bad. But money cannot be a goal. Money is simply a tool.

AND NOW.... THE QUESTIONS...

HIGH/LOW: What was the high point of your week and the low point?

ICEBREAKER: Where is there evidence in our society that money does not bring happiness?

READ: Ecclesiastes 5:10-12

What are some of the themes from the Book of Ecclesiastes?

Why does the love of money lead to dissatisfaction?

Solomon says the more you have, the more others are after it. What does he mean by that?

Do you agree with Solomon that the more stuff you obtain the more stress you have? Why?

How would our lives be different if we could hold on to the idea that money is momentary?

Do you have an example of that in your own life?

Why is it so easy to get enticed into materialism?

Do you have a materialistic weakness?

What is a way you can remind yourself of the vanity of materialism this week? How can you overthrow the tyrant of Materialism.

How different would this coming week be if we focus on the fact that our eternal debt from sin has been paid?

QUESTIONS FOR MARRIAGE GROUPS

The Meaning of Marriage - by Tim Keller

Chapter Four: The Mission of Marriage

ICEBREAKER - What from your wedding ceremony / reception did not go as planned?

HIGH / LOW

What is marriage? [p101]

What are the three features of real friendship? [p103-104]

What is marriage for? [p112]

What are the practical implications of this quotation: “Within this Christian vision for marriage, here’s what it means to fall in love. It is to look at another person and get a glimpse of the person God is creating, and to say, “I see who God is making you, and it excites me! I want to be part of that. I want to partner with you and God in the journey you are taking to his throne. And when we get there, I will look at your magnificence and say, ‘I always knew you could be like this. I got glimpses of it on earth, but now look at you!’” [p112-113]

When you look at your spouse / future spouse do you see a finished statue or a wonderful block of marble? [p113]

How can you best confront your spouse if they are failing to live in line with their commitments? (p.106, 115) How can they best confront you?

“Paul is urging spouses to help their mates love Jesus more than them.” [p116] Are you happy with that?

“No other human being should get more of your love, energy, industry, and commitment than your spouse.” [p119] Name the relationships that this statement will impact in your life.

What was the cause of most marriage difficulties that the Kellers came across in ministry? [p119]

What two areas of over-commitment are the most common problems in marriage? [p120]

What do you think are the greatest potential threats to a marriage? How should we manage these threats? [p122]

What is the primary goal of Christian marriage? (p.109, 118) What are practical ways this goal can be achieved in your own marriage?

Have you and your spouse discussed how you can commit to helping each other become holy? (p.115, 123) What are some things can you do to help accomplish this in your marriage?

“Your spouse and your marriage must be the number one priority in your life.” (p.118, 127) If you have children, how do you balance the necessary commitment to both your children and your spouse? Which do you believe is more important, your role as a parent or your role as a spouse?